Well, I just got back (new definition of just = 90 minutes) from a lovely man-date of dinner and Sahara with a friend, and am still full of Cantonese scallops and banana spring rolls (Mmm…). Unfortunately, the objective was to see Sin City before it departed the big screen (it was inexplicably sold out on our previous attempt a coupla weeks ago), but it’s been relegated to a single 9:05 showing, which is just way too late. Sigh.

Thankfully, Sahara turned out to be not so bad. Some observations:

Is there anyone more comfortable in their own skin than Matthew McConaughey? Only other person I can think of off the top of my head is Queen Latifah, who I consider Poise Incarnate. Perhaps this is something I’m attuned to because I’m not especially comfortable in my own skin, although I’m light years better than in, say, high school (then again, who isn’t?).

I enjoy movies where the main character is a master of improvisation, and this certainly qualifies. It’s a big part of the appeal for the James Bond movies for me. Totally not the hot chicks at all. Nope, couldn’t care less about ’em, nosireebob.

McConaughey’s sidekicks were amusingly feeble, almost childlike at times, which was kinda endearing. On the other hand, much as I like Steve Zahn, I’m not really sure I buy him as an ex-SEAL…

The opening sequence with the battle between the Union cannons and the Confederate ironclad was way cool, although a bit murky.

Tuaregs are cool, Penelope Cruz has a very thick accent, Delroy Lindo seemed out-of-place and uncomfortable, William H. Macy is always great, and is Lambert Wilson ever gonna play a good guy?